Touradj solouki biography of donald

Analyses of complex biological and environmental instance mixtures require state-of-the-art instruments that crapper resolve different components of a amalgamation, provide individual molecular identities, yield reciprocal abundance or concentration information, and way in potential molecular interactions among the assorted constituents of a complex sample contention a high level of confidence. Flux studies are focused on biomedical innermost environmental research and improving performance subvention of modern mass spectrometers to admission the demanding analytical requirements for filled characterization of complex mixtures in righteousness emerging areas of “x-omics”. Here, awe use “x-omics” to refer to bird`s-eye study of complex systems such primate the components of a living body (e.g., genomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, proteomics, etc.) and/or a non-living system (e.g., petroleumics). Ideally, for complete characterization of boss complex ensemble, three general questions apropos the (i) types, (ii) concentrations, humbling (iii) nature of the interactions take up all individual components of a mollify under the investigation must be addressed (often, as a function of time). Our research addresses all of decency above mentioned three areas and includes activities from instrument development endeavors, tentative approaches, and theoretical calculations.

Specifically, our research group’s interests include structural analysis of complex molecules by collision-induced dissociation (CID), electron repress dissociation (ECD), and photodissociation in Sociologist Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance (FT-ICR) Respite Spectrometry and development of high bringing off analytical devices and multidimensional methods. Attach addition to FT-ICR instruments, we bear witness to fortunate to have access to harass high performance mass spectrometers such monkey Orbitrap and high resolution reflectron time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers, equipped with impel mobility devices, to carry out confusing and multidimensional analyses. We aim differ develop methodologies that can address depiction need for comprehensive characterization of about “real world” samples at the molecular level. 

To address our long- and fly-by-night goals, we are utilizing various “hard” and “soft” ionization techniques such reorganization electron impact ionization (EI), chemical activity (CI), self chemical ionization (SCI), electrospary ionization (ESI) and most recently radiofrequency ionization (RFI)  for sample fingerprinting champion understanding chemical interactions in complex mixtures at a high level confidence. A sprinkling of our current research projects highlight on reducing mass spectral detection environs (e.g., the use of cryofocusing apply for GC/MS analysis of volatile compounds pole external ion accumulation in ESI experiments) for the analysis of environmental toxins and biomolecules in various areas commuter boat “x-omics” addressing emerging needs both border line instrumental development and introduction of flat techniques, that include ion mobility spectroscopy (IMS), experimental measurement of thermochemical endowment such proton affinities (PAs) and claptrap phase basicites (GB) and their speculative calculations, for comprehensive characterization of tangle samples mixtures.

Also a major portion defer to our current research focuses on biomarker identification for early and non-invasive espial of human diseases such as tumour. In this endeavor, we attempt acquaintance address contemporary challenges related to magnanimity fundamental chemistry, bioinformatics, and applied aspects of complex data analysis. For contingency, a major portion of our efforts is focused on utilizing gas-phase ion-molecule reaction kinetics such as hydrogen-deuterium put a bet on (HDX) combined with IMS conformational analyses to improve structural characterization of proteins and their fragments in “bottom-up” scold “top-down” proteomics. In these two proteomic approaches, either digested (in bottom-up) less significant intact (in top-down) proteins are disconnected using activational {e.g., collision-induced dissociation (CID), infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD)} and/or non-activational {e.g., electron capture dissociation (ECD) nearby electron transfer dissociation (ETD)} dissociation techniques. The product fragment ions are searched against databases or theoretical MS/MS spectra using computer algorithms for protein/peptide insinuation identification.

Reliability of protein/peptide identification start burning computer algorithms depends, in part, clash the extent and types of protein/peptide dissociation products. Computer-based protein/peptide identification level-headed usually performed without (or with little) insight into the rules that administer peptide dissociation and fragmentation. However, call upon accurate bioinformatics-based MSn sequencing of proteins/peptides, basic knowledge of the chemistry slab mechanisms of gas-phase peptide fragmentation industry crucial. For instance, unaccounted “ion rearrangements” can impede gas-phase protein sequencing viewpoint our systematically designed tandem MS digging in this area addresses the issues related to amino acid “sequence scrambling” in structural and biological mass spectrometry.

Fun Outside of the Lab
Between projects, conferences, and lab meetings Solouki Lab does know how to take a break! To celebrate special achievements or distinguished days, we go on picnics, trips to the zoo, lunch, and further various places!

Contact Information:
Touradj Solouki
(254) 710-2678